Butcher's Tap opens in Southport's Wheel House space

Butcher's Tap has opened in the old Wheel House space in the Southport Corridor.

Last Call Tavern Group bought the bar and restaurant at 3553 N. Southport Ave. and built the theme around the history of the property: it was a butcher shop when it opened in 1932.

Along with 80 beer taps and six wine taps, Butcher's Tap aims to provide food, beer, wine and spirits from local purveyors.

The Butcher's Tap will offer made-to-order dishes with none costing more than $12. The owners have sourced meats, cheeses and vegetables from area vendors. They include: Indiana's Smoking Goose Dorman Street Meatery; Marcoot Jersey Creamery in Greenville and Hook's Cheese Co. in Mineral Point, Wis., for cheeses; Hoosier Grassfed Beef in Attica, Ind., for beef; Bane Family Meats in Sidney for chicken; and Meyer Farms in Wauconda for herbs and vegetables.

With 60 draft beer taps on the first floor and 20 on the second floor, there will be a rotating, global selection of micro and macro beers and ciders, plus an another 40 beers in bottles and cans. Six barreled wines on tap will be offered by the glass along with bottles. A rotating menu of craft cocktails and seasonal infused moonshine also will be on the drink list. Local spirits will be featured, including those from Letherbee Distillers, CH Distillery and Journeyman Distillery as well as other small-batch craft spirits.

The restaurant has undergone a gut renovation. Both levels within the 3,800-square-foot of interior have been revamped and will feature butcher-block tables and chairs and seating to more than 200. Rolling glass garage door windows will be open in nice weather.